Pollack's doctor: Lucky no paralysis

(What follows is a story that's also posted on enquirer.com and cincinnati.com. I reported and wrote it this morning. It's an interview with the doctor treating David Pollack, Dr. Anthony Guanciale. He confirms that Lindsey Pollack, David's wife, sent an e-mail Monday to update friends and and family about her husband's condition.)

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

David Pollack remained at University Hospital and is expected to be released later today, the doctor who treated the Bengals linebacker told The Enquirer this morning.

“The main thing is he does have a C-6 (vertebra) fracture,” said Dr. Anthony Guanciale, director of orthopedic spine surgery at University of Cincinnati Hospital.
“His fracture was mild to moderate. His neurological status is normal. He has no spinal cord involvement or injury.”

The C-6 is the sixth cervical vertebrae, a bone.

Pollack was fitted with the stabilizing halo Sunday evening. He sat up and watched football on television Sunday night, the doctor said.

Pollack is likely to be in the halo for 12 weeks.

“The halo is the most stable brace because it allows no movement,” Guanciale said. “How (the bone) heals and if it is stable are the big things. There will be a big evaluation in about nine months.”

He will undergo periodic exams and have X-rays to determine the pace and strength of healing.

Pollack’s age, 24, and excellent physical condition will only help him.

The next step is evaluation for a possible return to the field.

“As I talked to Dave, (his wife) Lindsey and his family, there is a possibility he will have to have surgery in a few months,” Guanciale said. “… it is a big enough injury that he’s lucky not to be paralyzed.”

The fact Pollack did not face immediate surgery was a good sign about his possible return to football.

“If he would have had to be rushed into surgery Sunday, it doesn’t offer a return to playing linebacker in the NFL,” Guanciale said.

He also confirmed Lindsey Pollack sent a private email Monday. The doctor said Lindsey and her in-laws discussed an email and decided it was the best way to communicate with David’s friends. Guanciale said he spoke with Lindsey at mid-morning today, and she said the email was intended just for friends and family and that someone sent it to Cincinnati.com's Bengals blog.

In the email, Lindsey Pollack wrote: “I first want to thank everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers for Davey. It means so much to both of us to know that you are thinking of him.

“I know you are all probably hearing all sorts of things. We have been overwhelmed with phone calls, text messages and e-mails, so I apologize for not getting back to some of you sooner. I just wanted to give everyone a brief update before I head back to the hospital.

“Davey did break his neck. I hate how that sounds, though. He fractured his C-6, for those of you who know what that is, but he is so blessed to have feeling everywhere! The doctors have put him in a Halo brace to stabilize him. He is able to move from the chest down, so he can sit up (and) eat, walk, etc. Right now we are just in a waiting period. ...

“We both know that God's hand is in this and He has a great plan than either of us knows. We are both leaning on Him right now to guide us through this time and our decisions. He has blessed us with each and every one of you in our lives and for that we are grateful.”

At his news conference Monday, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Lindsey Pollack told him that she did not send the email.

“No, she did not,” Lewis said when asked if she sent the email. “She did not an email. I spoke with Lindsey. She did not send an email. I don’t know where the email originated, so don’t follow a rumor, OK?”

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com